Everyone has a story to tell on what has transpired in their lives and key decisions that were made to shape them into who they are today. Memoirs and interviews of successful people are excellent resources for learning new things. Since there is an endless supply of inspirational stories, we’re here to help narrow down the choices. Check out our top recommendations on inspirational stories below from the Women of Sitecore community.
This is the final post of a three-part blog series that shares a helpful curated collection of books, podcasts, and videos that are personally recommended by talented senior technology leaders active in the Women of Sitecore community. In case you missed them, check out the earlier posts in the series: professional development recommendations and leadership recommendations.
Top Books and Videos on Inspirational Journeys
Books
1. Becoming By Michelle Obama
- Recommended by: Francine Anthony and Hetal Dave
- Why Francine recommends it: We see this lady of poise and elegance in the press, and yet Michelle grew up from very humble means. She had doubts and fears, but she also had a backbone of trying her best. Reading her story will inspire and motivate all.
- Why Hetal recommends it: An inspiring memoir where there is inspiration even in between the lines.
2. Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
- Recommended by: Alison Sainsbury and Christina Hauge Engel
- Why Alison recommends it: We’ve all heard of the gender pay gap – this is about the gender data gap. It’s a fascinating, sometimes infuriating look at how the lack of gender-disaggregated data doesn’t just disadvantage women financially or socially, it actually kills us. It’s very real, and as women working in STEM, something we need to be aware of and point out whenever we can. We are building algorithms and patterns now based on data which is not just biased against women – often as not, it actually simply excludes us. I raved about this to everyone at SUGCON (Sitecore User Group Conference).
- Why Christina recommends it: This book is diving into the gender gap with case studies, stories and new research from across the world that reveals the biased data that excludes women. The Times has called this book ‘A game-changer.’
3. The Myth of the Nice Girl: Achieving a Career You Love Without Becoming a Person You Hate by Fran Hauser
- Recommended by: Allison Simpkins
- Why Allison recommends it: Great book which deconstructs the negative perception of being ‘nice.’ This book examines how women don’t have to sacrifice their values or hide their authentic personalities to be successful.
4. Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Christoff and Sheryl WuDunn
- Recommended by: Jacqueline Baxter
- Why Jacqueline recommends it: This is one of those books that has stayed with me. It’s simultaneously an exploration of the social and economic oppression of women worldwide and a call to action for all of us to start making a difference.
5. The Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes
- Recommended by: Jacqueline Baxter
- Why Jacqueline recommends it: There’s an amazing lesson just in the title; so many experiences are missed and opportunities lost because of fear. This is a memoir, but it’s also a reminder of how many fabulous things are waiting on the other side of fear, and it’s inspired me to say ‘Yes’ to many more things than I would have otherwise! Reading this book reminded me of that old quote; “What if I fall? But darling, what if you fly?”
6. Man’s Search for Meaning by Dr. Viktor Frankl
- Recommended by: Ishraq Fataftah
- Why Ishraq recommends it: One of the books that stayed with me for so long! Dr. Frankl argues that we can’t avoid suffering, but explores how we can extract meaning from that suffering, create a new purpose and cope.
7. Resilience: Navigating Life, Loss and the Road to Success by Lisa Lisson
- Recommended by: Allison Simpkins
- Why Allison recommends it: An inspirational story on how to triumph over adversity and live each day with gratitude.
8. The Only Woman in the Room: The Making of a Stockbroker by Jean Hough Davey
- Recommended by: Allison Simpkins
- Why Allison recommends it: Fantastic story about one woman’s pursuit in the 1960s, when women were neither accepted nor encouraged to enter the world of finance. Jean Hough Davey became one of the first women in North America to be licensed as a stockbroker.
9. Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Recommended by: Christina Hauge Engel
- Why Christina recommends it: A great and inspiring little book on parenting! A good friend of mine recently said to his son, who scratched his knee: “a true boy gets bruises.” But why didn’t he say: “a true kid gets bruises?!” This book opened my eyes to how we address gender differences. Our words matter. This book addresses how to raise a baby girl as a feminist. I recently became a mother to a baby girl, but I recommend this book to all parents, as we all play a huge role in shaping future generations – whether we have boys or girls. We can’t just focus on how we treat girls, we must focus on how to treat all children. The book gives an interesting perspective on how to raise children in a gender-neutral environment, but it’s expressed as advice from one friend to another. The book is an easy read with fifteen strong suggestions.
10. Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
- Recommended by: Hetal Dave
- Why Hetal recommends it: This is an inspirational memoir of finding the fire (courage) within.
Videos and Podcasts
1. How I Built This with Guy Raz – NPR Podcast
- Recommended by: Ethel Crosby
- Why Ethel recommends it: Excellent stories sharing the journey and backstories of major innovators and leaders across the world’s most well-known brands. Hearing the stories of persistence and hard work through setbacks and triumphs, like Jen Rubio’s story on her unconventional career journey that led to her launching the successful Away travel brand, is incredibly inspiring. Full disclosure, I’m a big fan of my Away luggage and respect Jen and her company’s vision after listening to her interview.
2. Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations – Oprah Winfrey
- Recommended by: Stephanie Allen
- Why Stephanie recommends it: In this podcast series, Oprah interviews inspiring leaders and changemakers who actively work to make the world a better place. With every interview, I find myself inspired to be a better human and motivated to make a positive change in my relationships and environment – professionally and personally.
3. TED Radio Hour hosted by Guy Raz – NPR Podcast
- Recommended by: Margaret Wise
- Why Margaret recommends it: The Ted Radio Hour takes a topic and stitches together clips from multiple, related TED talks and interviews. I always learn a new way to think about the topic.
4. Breaking Barriers and Engaging Billions – Priyanka Chopra and Indra Nooyi – Forbes Women’s Summit
- Recommended by: Deepthi Katta and Hetal Dave
- Why Deepthi recommends it: My two favorite women in the whole world. It is mesmerizing to see two women from different generations yet similar roots talk about breaking barriers, which may come in various shapes and forms, to reach the goals that one sets for themselves.
- Why Hetal recommends it: An inspirational talk with Priyanka Chopra and Indra Nooyi about their journey to success.
5. How I Hacked Online Dating – Amy Webb – TED Talk
- Recommended by: Una Verhoeven
- Why Una recommends it: This has to be one of the best data analysis talks that I have ever seen applied on a real-life example.
- Recommended by: Alison Sainsbury
- Why Alison recommends it: These are short and sweet, just right for a quick train trip to work. This podcast interviews business and creative people and talks about how they construct their day. Perfect for taking a quick tactic for the week and putting it into practice.
7. A passionate, personal case for education by Michelle Obama
- Recommended by: Deepthi Katta
- Why Deepthi recommends it: It is a delight to see our former first lady speak at any time. In this talk, she focuses on her most passionate subject: education. She is a great inspiration, and we must in our own little way help young children across the globe to get the education they truly deserve.
8. How Digital Marketing Works – Gene De Libero
- Recommended by: Alison Sainsbury
- Why Alison recommends it: Gene De Libero, my teammate in Sitecore, has more than 30 years of experience in digital innovation – spanning vendor, partner, customer and academia – and he brings it to this podcast, interviewing marketing leaders for their take on where we are with digital marketing, how we got there and where we’re going. There are only about 5 episodes so far, but they’re all must-listens.
9. Why Am I Even Alive? by Muniba Mazari
- Recommended by: Deepthi Katta
- Why Deepthi recommends it: This watch always reminds me how easy our life is and yet we complain. Seeing Muniba on a wheelchair and yet so confident and bursting with enthusiasm of the life ahead of her inspires me to craft my own and appreciate the things that I have at this moment of life.
10. TEDx Talks: It is okay not to have a plan by Mihila Palkar
- Recommended by: Deepthi Katta
- Why Deepthi recommends it: The moral of this is we think too much. Oh, I am going to get that degree, then buy a home, get a job, have a baby. But, the truth is it is okay to not have a plan and take life as it comes. Sometimes surprises come when you least expect them.
Special thanks to all the women that shared their recommendations:
- Stephanie Allen – Senior Digital Strategist, Enablement & Optimization Lead, Velir
- Francine Anthony – Head of Global Partner Marketing, Sitecore
- Jacqueline Baxter – Digital Strategist, Hedgehog
- Ethel Crosby – Director of Technology Operations and Offerings, One North
- Hetal Dave – Technical Lead, Verndale
- Ishraq Fataftah – Founder and Chief Technology Officer, ApplezTech
- Jill Grozalsky – Director of Digital Strategy, Brainjocks
- Christina Hauge Engel – Digital Strategist, Pentia
- Deepthi Katta – Technical Architect, Verndale
- Paige O’Neill – Chief Marketing Officer, Sitecore
- Alison Sainsbury – Senior Marketing Consultant, SBOS, Sitecore
- Allison Simpkins – Senior Vice President, North America, Valtech
- Amanda Shiga – Product Strategy, Sitecore
- Isabel Tinoco – Director of Alliances, Coveo
- Una Verhoeven – Solution Architect and Founder, AmpleEdge
- Margaret Wise – Chief Revenue Officer, Arke
Personal growth is an important skill to focus on throughout the different stages of your career. Whether you are relaxing at home, commuting to and from work, or clocking in hours hitting the trails for a long run, take time out for yourself to learn and grow.
I truly hope you become inspired by our recommendations. Feel free to share this series with your friends, family, and coworkers. We could all use a little boost.
What are your favorite books, podcasts and videos? Join me @EthelMCrosby and @WomenofSitecore in the conversation on Twitter or LinkedIn.
Missed the previous posts of this series? See the following: